Maxwell hones technique, hopeful of Ashes outing
Since scoring a composed century against India in March, Maxwell has failed to surpass 50 in seven Test innings and his selection for the upcoming series against England is far from assured
MELBOURNE: Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell is well known for his batting pyrotechnics but hopes a defensive tweak to his technique can be key to locking up the contentious number six spot for the Ashes.
Since scoring a mature and composed century against India in the Ranchi Test in March, the man nicknamed ‘the Big Show’ has failed to surpass 50 in seven Test innings and his selection for the upcoming series against England is far from assured.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said Maxwell’s number six spot is up for grabs, leaving the 29-year-old right-hander in a shoot-out with other hopefuls in the domestic Sheffield Shield in the leadup to the first Test in Brisbane on November 23.
Maxwell’s faltering output prompted a self-analysis and he was not impressed with what he saw on video review.
“It was a little bit frustrating watching myself back and going ‘I don’t like what I see there’,” he told local media. “I looked back at a lot of footage and I just noticed a few things creeping into my game.
“I had a very one-day technique where I was able to work the ball sidewards with my hands.
“I basically got rid of that and made sure I was holding my shape a lot longer.”
The correction failed to bring a big score during last month’s tour of Bangladesh but Maxwell said it had already helped soak up minutes out in the middle, as shown by a 98-ball knock of 38 in the second Test in Chittagong.
“I’ve really honed a technique that can bat a long period of time and I changed a few things technically to make sure I had a solid defence and something that could sustain long periods of pressure,” he said.
“Unfortunately the way I got out was a bit disappointing, to have the ball just sort of crawl over my body and get to the keeper was a bit frustrating, but the work I did throughout that period showed me that was I was doing was the right thing.”
Maxwell’s lean run saw him axed after three matches of the ODI series in India but former Australia captain Steve Waugh has backed him to make an impression in the Ashes if selectors stick with him. “He’s inconsistent but he’s a match winner and there are not too many of them around,” Waugh said. Full story @ timesofoman.com/sports